One Love...

So this weekend was a crazy one for me. Crazy in that moments to myself came few and far between and crazy because, once again, I was taken by surprise on a simple, ordinary day.

This weekend Ryan and I were asked to join the WELCA (Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) group at Memorial Lutheran church for lunch and an ENCM presentation. When I arrived, my friend Judy introduced me to some great women, most of whom seemed to be senior citizens (though not all). Ryan showed the video and gave a great presentation, helping the women to connect with the stories of Wesley and Robert. After that, I talked a bit about my perspective then sang a few worship songs.

BUT, my favorite part of the day was when my friend Julie led the group in singing. She sang before Ryan did his presentation. She sang a couple of her own songs, to which she printed out lyrics and had the group sing along. THEN, the best thing happened! Her last song was Bob Marley's song One Love. She had lyrics for the group to sing along on the chorus. You should have seen it. A group of women, most of them senior citizens, and I think almost all of them where Caucasian, and they were all singing, rather loudly, One Love by Bob Marley. The words "Let's get together and feel alright, give thanks and praise to the Lord and I will feel alright" rang out of the church like a clear bell of redemption. After the initial shock of the moment wore off, I couldn't help but to sing along. 

Can you imagine if we really were able to begin to blur some of these divisions that separate our human race? Can you imagine what it would look like if we came to a table where our only expectation was to be open to genuine relationship with whoever showed up at the same table. I can't even grasp it, but I think a bunch of senior citizen, white women singing Bob Marley is a GREAT place to start...

"Give thanks and praise to the Lord..."

Grace & Peace, 

Melissa